Every year, thousands of crashes happen across Macomb County on roads like Van Dyke Avenue, Mound Road, and M-59.
If you were hurt in one of those collisions, the insurance company already has a team working to pay you as little as possible. You need someone working just as hard on your side.
Our car accident attorneys in Sterling Heights, MI have recovered millions for auto accident victims throughout Michigan.
The Goodman Acker Sterling Heights office at 13854 Lakeside Circle is staffed with attorneys who know the local courts, the local roads, and the tactics that Michigan insurers rely on to undervalue claims.
Call us at 248-483-5000 for a free case review.
How Goodman Acker’s Sterling Heights Auto Accident Lawyers Handle Your Case
We assign one attorney, one paralegal, and one assistant to every client from start to finish. You get direct phone numbers for your legal team, and you talk to the same people throughout your case.
That model has produced strong outcomes across more than 30 years of practice and over 150 combined years of attorney experience.
A Track Record in Michigan Auto Accident Cases
We have recovered a $15.3 million auto accident verdict in Wayne County, along with seven-figure settlements in truck accidents, pedestrian collisions, and medical malpractice cases across Michigan.
Although past results do not guarantee future outcomes, those cases reflect how we prepare every matter with the same level of attention, whether it involves a collision with lasting soft tissue injuries or a catastrophic highway crash.
Why a Local Sterling Heights Office Matters
Having an office in Sterling Heights means your attorney is familiar with Macomb County Circuit Court procedures, local judges, and how claims move through this jurisdiction. It also means you have a nearby place to meet face-to-face whenever you need to discuss your case.
That local presence may make communication and case preparation more convenient compared to working with a firm located far from Macomb County.
Goodman Acker operates on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront attorney fees, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call 248-483-5000 to talk with a car accident attorney in Sterling Heights, MI today.
What Types of Car Accident Claims Do Sterling Heights Attorneys Handle?
Auto accidents in Sterling Heights take many forms, and each type of crash raises different legal and medical issues. We handle the full range of motor vehicle collision claims across Macomb County.
Sterling Heights car crash cases commonly involve:
- Rear-end collisions on congested stretches of Van Dyke Avenue and Hall Road, which frequently cause herniated discs and whiplash injuries
- T-bone crashes at high-traffic intersections like Mound Road and 15 Mile, where red-light violations and failure to yield often play a role
- Multi-vehicle pileups on M-59, where chain-reaction impacts make liability disputes more complicated
- Hit-and-run accidents, where uninsured motorist coverage through your own policy may be the primary source of recovery
- Crashes involving commercial vehicles and delivery trucks operating on Sterling Heights’ industrial corridors near major manufacturing facilities
Each collision type requires a different approach to proving fault, documenting injuries, and calculating the full value of your claim.
How Does Michigan No-Fault Insurance Affect a Sterling Heights Car Accident Claim?
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance law (MCL 500.3101 et seq.) requires your own auto insurance policy to cover certain benefits regardless of who caused the crash.
These first-party benefits include allowable medical expenses, wage loss benefits for up to three years, and replacement services for household tasks you cannot perform because of your injuries.
First-Party Benefits Under No-Fault
Your own insurer pays these benefits under your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. The amount of PIP coverage you carry depends on the policy you selected.
Since Michigan reformed its No-Fault law in 2019, drivers have been able to choose different PIP coverage levels, which means your available medical benefits may vary based on your policy elections.
Third-Party Pain and Suffering Claims
If your injuries meet one of the statutory thresholds under MCL 500.3135, you may also file a separate third-party claim against the at-fault driver.
Michigan law permits a third-party tort claim when the injured person has suffered death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
That claim covers pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses that No-Fault benefits do not address.
Our Sterling Heights auto accident lawyers handle both sides of this process: pursuing full No-Fault benefits from your own insurer and building a third-party claim against the driver who caused your injuries.
What Compensation Might Be Available After a Car Accident in Sterling Heights?
Compensation in a Michigan car accident claim falls into two main categories. The amounts depend on the severity of your injuries, how long your recovery takes, and whether the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly reckless.
| TYPE OF COMPENSATION | WHAT IT COVERS | WHO PAYS |
| PIP Medical Benefits | Allowable hospital bills, surgeries, rehab, prescriptions | Your own auto insurer |
| Wage Loss Benefits | Up to 85% of lost gross income for up to 3 years | Your own auto insurer |
| Replacement Services | Household tasks you cannot perform (cleaning, yard work, childcare) | Your own auto insurer |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life | At-fault driver’s insurer |
| Excess Economic Damages | Medical costs and lost wages beyond PIP limits | At-fault driver’s insurer |
The third-party claim is where a significant portion of the total recovery often comes from, especially in cases with lasting injuries.
Our attorneys calculate damages by working with your medical providers and, when necessary, financial professionals who project your future costs and lost earning capacity.
Why Do Insurance Companies Try to Minimize Sterling Heights Car Accident Claims?
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their adjusters are trained to close claims quickly and cheaply.
That pressure intensifies in Macomb County, where high traffic volume on roads like M-53 and Schoenherr means insurers handle a large number of auto accident claims and look for every opportunity to reduce payouts.
Common tactics insurers use against car accident victims include:
- Offering a fast, low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Requesting recorded statements and using your own words against you later
- Disputing whether your injuries are related to the crash by pointing to pre-existing conditions
- Delaying claim processing to pressure you into accepting less
- Arguing that you share fault for the collision to reduce what they owe
Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you give up the right to seek any additional compensation for that injury. Having a car crash lawyer in Sterling Heights review any offer before you sign protects you from locking in a number that falls far short of your actual losses.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Michigan?
Michigan’s statute of limitations (MCL 600.5805) generally gives you three years from the date of the collision to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss that deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case regardless of how strong it is.
Shorter Deadlines May Apply
Certain circumstances shorten that window. Claims involving government vehicles or government-maintained roads may require earlier notice filings.
Your No-Fault PIP claim also has its own deadlines for seeking certain benefits. Speaking with a Sterling Heights car accident attorney promptly helps protect all of your filing rights.
Michigan’s Comparative Fault Rule
Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence rule (MCL 600.2959). If a jury assigns you partial fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
However, if your fault exceeds the combined fault of the other parties, you lose the right to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
This rule makes early evidence gathering and strong legal arguments about liability especially important.
What Steps Help Protect a Car Accident Claim After a Sterling Heights Crash?
Taking the right steps after a crash strengthens your case and preserves the evidence your attorney needs. Once you are home and safe, there are several things you may do to support your claim.
Actions that help protect the value of a Sterling Heights car accident claim include:
- Following up with a doctor promptly, even if you feel fine, because injuries like concussions and soft tissue damage often have delayed symptoms
- Keeping all medical appointment records and following your treatment plan consistently
- Saving photos of vehicle damage, the crash scene, visible injuries, and any road conditions you noticed
- Avoiding posting about the accident or your injuries on social media, because insurers routinely monitor those accounts
- Contacting a car accident attorney before giving any statements to the other driver’s insurance company
Each of these steps creates a paper trail that supports your version of events and makes it harder for the insurance company to dispute your claim later.
FAQs for Sterling Heights Car Accident Lawyers
What if the other driver did not have insurance?
You may still have options for recovery. Michigan law allows you to file an uninsured motorist claim through your own auto insurance policy if you carry that coverage.
Your PIP benefits also apply regardless of the other driver’s insurance status, covering your allowable medical expenses and a portion of lost wages under your own policy.
What does serious impairment of body function mean in Michigan?
Serious impairment of body function is one of three statutory thresholds that allow you to file a third-party pain and suffering claim after a Michigan auto accident.
Under MCL 500.3135, it means an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects your general ability to lead your normal life. Courts look at the nature and extent of the impairment, not just the diagnosis alone.
What if I was partly at fault for the Sterling Heights car accident?
Yes, you may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the crash. Michigan’s modified comparative negligence law reduces your award by your percentage of fault.
However, if your fault exceeds the aggregate fault of the other parties, you lose the ability to recover non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?
A denial does not mean your case is over. Insurance companies deny claims for many reasons, including disputed liability, policy coverage arguments, or questions about the severity of your injuries.
An attorney may challenge the denial by gathering additional evidence, obtaining supporting medical opinions, or filing a lawsuit to pursue your claim through the court system.
How much does it cost to hire a Sterling Heights car accident lawyer?
Goodman Acker handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront attorney fees, and our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you.
If the case does not result in a recovery, you owe no attorney fees for our time. This arrangement removes the financial barrier that stops many injured people from getting legal help when they need it most.
Do I really need a lawyer if the other driver was clearly at fault?
Even in clear-liability crashes, the at-fault driver’s insurer may still try to reduce what it pays. Adjusters might argue your injuries are less severe than claimed, that pre-existing conditions contributed, or that you share some fault.
An attorney handles those disputes so you do not have to negotiate against a trained insurance professional on your own.
How long do most Sterling Heights car accident cases take to resolve?
Most car accident cases in Michigan take several months to over a year, depending on injury severity, treatment duration, and whether the insurer negotiates in good faith.
Cases involving surgery, long-term rehabilitation, or disputed liability tend to take longer. We prepare every case as though it may go to trial, which often motivates insurers to offer a fair settlement earlier in the process.
Take Action with a Sterling Heights Car Accident Lawyer Today
Waiting to get legal help after a car accident gives the insurance company more time to build its case against yours while your options narrow. Every day that passes may affect witness memory, surveillance footage availability, and your ability to document injuries at their worst.
Our Sterling Heights office has helped car accident victims across Macomb County recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. The firm’s contingency fee model and one-team-per-client approach mean you get legal representation without upfront financial risk.
Pick up the phone and call 248-483-5000 for a free consultation. Your case review costs nothing, and there is no obligation to move forward. If Goodman Acker takes your case, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN
Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]
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